Attachment for fire-alarm boxes



(No man.

H. H. REBBEGK.

ATTACHMENT FOR FIRE ALARM BOXES.

Patented Mar. 2, 1886.-

m E, E QTQII HENRY H. REBBECK, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

ATTACHMENT FOR FIRE-=ALARM BOXES.

EPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 337,198, dated March 2, 1886.

Application filed July 3, 1885. Serial No. 170,561.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, HENRY H. REBBEoK, of

Cleveland, in the county of Guyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Attachments for Fire-Alarm Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in attachments for fire-alarm boxes, the object being to providea box attachment for holding a key with which to unlock the fire alarm box, said key-box having a glass panel or slide that, in case of fire, may be broken to give access to the key, to the end that, in the absence of policemen or other officials having a key to the fire-alarm box, any person, by breaking the glass, may procure the key and give the alarm. The key is secured to the key-box by a suitable device, to prevent it being lost or stolen. Directions are posted in the key-box in such position that they may be seen through the glass slide or panel, authorizing any person to break the glass to gain access to the key when necessary and give the alarm.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an ordinary fire-alarm box securedto the side of a building with a key-box,embodying my invention, secured to the building below. The glass panel is shown in a broken condition and the key in position in the fire-alarm box. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective showing the key-box with the glass front unbroken.

A represents an electric fire-alarm box,such as are usually employed in cities and large towns. These boxes are usually locked, and the keys carried by policemen and other officials, and in the absence of a person having a key much time is sometimes lost in giving the alarm. To remedy this difficulty I provide a box, B, located conveniently near the alarmbox. This box is provided with a door, I), that is kept locked, and has a glass front or (No model.)

panel, I). A key, 0, for unlocking the firealarm box, is secured to the inside of the keybox by a chain, c, and the key and chain when not in use are stored in the box B. A card, D, is posted, usually on the inside of the box B,in such position that it may be seen through the glass panel. On this card authority is given to any person to break the glass to acquire access to the key 0 and to give the alarm in case of tire, and in the absence of officials or persons carrying keys for this purpose. By unlocking the door I) the broken glass may be easily removed and a new one inserted in its place, In case the card D is posted outside of the box B, the glass panel is not essential;

but any suitable material that is easily broken such, for instance, as thin slate-would answer the purposes.

The policemen, firemen, or whoever has charge of these boxes B and carries the key to unlock them are supposed to supply new panels as often as one has been broken.

What I claim is 1. An attachment fora fire-alarm box, consisting of a box of suitable structure for storing a key that unlocks the fire-alarm box, said key-box having a portion thereof made of such material that it is easily broken in such parts as will give access to the key stored therein, substantially as set forth.

2. In an attachment for fire-alarm boxes, the combination, with a box having inclosed a key for the firealarm box, said key being secured by a suitable chain fastened to the inside of the key-box, said box having a portion thereof easily breakable, of a card containing directions for breaking the key-box in case of fire, so as to procure the key and give the alarm, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification,in the presence of two witnesses, this 11th day of June, 1885.

HENRY H. REBBEGK.

\Vitnesses:

CHAS. H. DORER, ALBERT E. LYNoH. 

